Reno Omokri Backs Sheikh Gumi, Warns Against Arrest

Reported by: Ime Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Henry Owen

Former presidential aide and social commentator, Reno Omokri, has called on Nigerians to embrace religious understanding and national unity, warning that the country’s complex religious identity does not allow for rigid or divisive thinking.

In a lengthy statement addressing recent debates on religion, security, and national cohesion, Omokri described Nigeria as “an Islamo-Christian nation” — not a purely Christian state like the United States or the United Kingdom, nor an Islamic country like Saudi Arabia or Jordan. He argued that because of this unique composition, Nigeria must tread carefully in matters of faith and governance to avoid inflaming divisions.

According to him, Nigerians must learn to walk a “tight rope” on religious issues, given the nation’s diversity. He compared this to Western societies, noting that while Nigeria lacks a strong LGBTQ voting bloc and can take firm stances on such moral questions, Western nations cannot because of their social and political dynamics.

Omokri also reminded citizens that both Christians and Muslims have suffered from terrorism, stressing that “Christians have been killed in Nigeria by terrorists, and so have Muslims — possibly more so.” He posed a rhetorical question, asking how Nigerians would react if “Saudi Arabia decided to invade Nigeria to protect Muslims” after some northern Muslims were killed in the South, warning against double standards and selective empathy.

He urged citizens to rise above ethnic and religious sentiments, emphasizing that Nigeria’s diversity — with nearly 350 languages and multiple sects within both Islam and Christianity — requires tolerance and understanding. He also pointed out that Shia Muslims remain the most disadvantaged sect in the country.

Addressing the controversy surrounding Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, Omokri cautioned against calls for the cleric’s arrest over his advocacy for dialogue with bandits. He said that while he does not entirely agree with Gumi’s approach, “I recognise that he means well.” He further advised Pastor Isa El-Buba to think carefully before criticizing Gumi, citing the need for balanced judgment.

Omokri drew a comparison with Peter Obi’s 2022 remarks on Politics Today, where the former Anambra governor said: “The only thing I disagree with is naming IPOB terrorists. They are not terrorists… I live in Onitsha, and I can tell you they are not terrorists.” He questioned why Obi’s defence of IPOB and his visit to Sheikh Gumi in 2022 did not attract similar public condemnation.

The social critic recalled that IPOB has been officially declared a terrorist organisation, with some of its leaders convicted or facing trial for terrorism. He also referenced Nnamdi Kanu’s broadcasts allegedly ordering attacks on security personnel, noting that killings of soldiers and police officers followed those statements.

Omokri said Nigeria’s problems will not be solved by hostility or mutual suspicion, stressing that “Christians cannot wipe out all Muslims, and Muslims cannot wipe out all Christians in Nigeria.” Instead, he called for dialogue, tolerance, and a shift from confrontation to cooperation.

Reflecting on his own past views, Omokri admitted he once called for Gumi’s arrest under former President Buhari but has since changed his position, saying, “The true hallmark of intelligence is to change your mind when you become aware of new information.”

He revealed that Sheikh Gumi’s son is a serving officer in the Nigerian Army and urged Nigerians to consider how public attacks on Gumi could affect the morale of his son and others fighting for the nation.

Concluding, Omokri appealed for reasoned leadership and emotional restraint, saying Nigeria needs “sentient leaders who rely on facts and are driven by patriotism.” He lamented that too many Nigerians are “driven by emotions and excitable nerves,” which, he warned, makes the nation vulnerable to manipulation and division.

Omokri’s message, though provocative, calls for introspection — urging Nigerians to prioritise unity and understanding over religious or ethnic rivalry in the pursuit of lasting peace.

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